Patent application title: ADVERTISING DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract:

An advertising display control system includes a display stand on which
merchandise is displayed. An audio-visual (AV) component on which a
prerecorded promotional video of the merchandise is playable for viewing
by consumers passing by the display stand. A controller is provided that
monitors the state of the AV component, such as, whether it is powered on
or off or whether there is no power to the system. A General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS) module communicates the detected state of the AV component
to a database. A user interface enables a remote user to access the
database to monitor the detected state of the AV component. The GPRS
module may also communicate video or photos of the displayed merchandise
to the database to permit the user to remotely visually monitor the
display stand.

Claims:

1. An advertising display control (ADC) system, comprising:a display stand
on which merchandise is displayed;an audio-visual (AV) component on which
a prerecorded promotional video of the merchandise is playable for
viewing by consumers passing by the display stand;a database;a controller
electrically disposed between an electric power source and the AV
component and capable of detecting a state of the AV component;a GPRS
module communicating the detected state of the AV component to the
database; anda user interface through which a remote user is capable of
accessing the database to monitor the detected state of the AV component.

2. The ADC system of claim 1 further including a camera disposed to
capture images of at least a portion of the displayed merchandise; said
GPRS module communicating said captured images to said database; and
wherein the user interface allows the remote user to access and view the
captured images.

3. The ADC system of claim 1 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes an "on" state.

4. The ADC system of claim 1 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes an "off" state.

5. The ADC system of claim 1 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes a "no power" state.

6. The ADC system of claim 1 wherein the user interface is capable of
displaying the detected state of the AV component over a time period.

7. The ADC system of claim 1 wherein the user interface is capable of
displaying the detected state of the AV component over a time period and
date range.

8. The ADC system of claim 7 wherein the user interface is capable of
querying the database by criteria selected from the group comprising:
merchandise, location, store, time interval, and date range.

9. An advertising display control (ADC) system, comprising:a) a database;
andb) a plurality of display stands, each of which is disposed at a
different location and each of which displays different merchandise, each
of said plurality of display stands comprising:i) an audio-visual (AV)
component on which a prerecorded promotional video of the merchandise on
display at the display stand at the location is playable for viewing by
consumers passing by;ii) a controller electrically disposed between a
power source and the AV component and capable of detecting a state of the
AV component;iii) a GPRS module communicating the detected state of the
AV component to the database;c) a user interface through which a user is
capable of accessing and querying the database to monitor the detected
state of the AV component at each of the plurality of display stands.

10. The ADC system of claim 7 wherein each of the display stands further
includes a camera disposed to capture images of at least a portion of the
displayed merchandise; said GPRS module communicating said captured
images to said database; and wherein the user interface allows the remote
user to access and view the captured images.

11. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of display stands are
within a single store.

12. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of display stands are
in different stores.

13. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes an "on" state.

14. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes an "off" state.

15. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the detected state of the AV
component includes a "no power" state.

16. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by selecting merchandise.

17. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by location.

18. The ADC system of claim 12 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by store.

19. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by detected state of the AV component.

20. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by detected state of the AV component over a date range.

21. The ADC system of claim 9 wherein the user is capable of querying the
database by criteria selected from the group comprising: merchandise,
location, store, time period, and date range.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001]Product display stands, such as stand-alone kiosks, aisle end caps
or other display stands are often used in retail stores to feature
certain products or to promote a special sale on a product. It is well
established that display stands located in high traffic areas will have
greater sales than in areas where fewer shoppers pass. Thus, display
areas located near the store entrance or near check-out aisles or at the
ends of aisles are often vigorously pursued by sales representatives and
distributors of consumer products.

[0002]Presenting a product in an appealing manner is an important driver
of sales volume. For example, it is well established that if the display
stand runs out of product or is otherwise in disarray, sales volume will
decrease. Thus, it is important to monitor the display stand to ensure
that it is neat, orderly and is well stocked with product so that the
product is presented in the most appealing manner to consumers.

[0003]Utilization of audio-visual ("AV") components into display stands to
drive sales by playing infomercials or videos to shoppers passing buy is
becoming increasingly more popular. This increase in popularity is due to
advent of thin flat screen televisions and compact portable media, such
as CD's, DVD's and SD cards, which are now much more portable and take up
less space their predecessors, and because they have become relatively
inexpensive. It is well established that incorporating AV components
which visually and audibly convey product features, advantages and uses
of a product to shoppers passing by will result in increased sales of
that product. It is also well established that if a display stand
incorporating AV components is not properly maintained to ensure that the
AV components are operating and functioning properly, sales volume of the
product will fall. Thus, with AV incorporated display stands, it is not
only important that the display stand remains neat, orderly and well
stocked with product, it is important that the AV components incorporated
into the display stand are operating properly and continuously during
store hours.

[0004]Monitoring and maintaining product displays in stores is typically
the responsibility of the product vendor. Historically, this required the
vendor to have sales representatives visit the retail store at least
once, if not several times a week, to restock the display with product,
to ensure that the display is neat and to ensure that all AV components
are operating properly. This task can become overwhelming when it is
necessary to monitor multiple product displays located in multiple stores
in multiple locations.

[0005]While one method of remotely monitoring product displays may be
possible by using the Internet and a Webcam, most store owners will not
permit vendors to access or utilize the store's wired or wireless local
area network (LAN) to communicate the Webcam images over the Internet
because of potential security issues, nor will most stores allow a vendor
to install its own Internet connection to facilitate use of the Webcam to
monitor the product display over the Internet. In any event, the cost of
installing a separate Internet connection through an Internet Service
Provider ("ISP") at multiple stores would be cost prohibitive even if
permitted by the store owner. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a
means of remotely monitoring a product display that does not require the
use of the store's LAN, does not interfere with or disrupt the store's
existing LAN or Internet connection, does not require a separate Internet
connection or the services of an ISP to facilitate data transmission for
the remote monitoring, and which is low in cost to install, use and
maintain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an
advertising display control (ADC) system for monitoring a product
display.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the ADC system of FIG. 1, for
monitoring multiple product displays in multiple locations.

[0008]FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and rear perspective views, respectively,
showing an embodiment of the ADC system of FIG. 1 showing the product
display stand.

[0009]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the controller for
the ADC system of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 6 is a front side elevation view of the controller of FIG. 5.

[0011]FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the controller of FIG. 5
illustrating one position for the moveable mounting plate.

[0012]FIG. 8 is another bottom plan view of the controller of FIG. 5
illustrating another position of the movable mounting plate.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the components of the
controller of FIG. 5.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the state
detector for the controller of FIG. 5.

[0015]FIGS. 11A-11F are electrical schematics of the various preferred
components for the controller of FIG. 5.

[0016]FIG. 12 is an example of an embodiment of a screen for the Web-based
user interface of the ADC system of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 13 is an example of an embodiment of another screen for the
web-based user interface of the ADC system of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

[0018]Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the Advertising Display
Control ("ADC") system designated generally by reference numeral 10.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 along with FIGS. 2-4, the ADC system 10
includes a controller 20 located at or near a display stand 12 used to
display merchandise or products "P" being offered for sale. The display
stand 12 includes an audio-visual ("AV") component or components 14 on
which a pre-recorded promotional video of the product P is being played
to consumers as they pass by the display stand 12. As used herein, the
term "AV component" should be understood to include any component or
combination of components capable of displaying and playing recorded
video and audio, such as, for example a television and a DVD player. As
used herein, the term "merchandise" or "product" should be understood to
include any good or service that may be offered for sale or for
licensing, rental, leasing to a consumer, prospective purchaser or user
of the good or service.

[0019]In a preferred embodiment, the ADC system 10 utilizes a General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS) module (discussed later) as a relatively low
cost means to communicate the detected state (i.e., on, off, no power) of
the AV component 14 and visual images of the display stand 12 to a
database 102 while avoiding the need for an Internet connection through
an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to facilitate the data communication
from the controller 20 located in the store to the database 102. The ADC
system 10 preferably utilizes a World-Wide-Web ("Web") based user
interface 100 to allow a user to monitor the status of the AV component
14 and, preferably, to visually inspect the display stand 12 from any
remote location via the Internet. The user interface 100 is preferably
hosted on a Web server connected to the Internet by any suitable Internet
connection. As illustrated in FIG. 2, it is contemplated that a typical
ADC system 10 will enable a user to monitor multiple display stands 12 at
different locations within a single store or in multiple stores.

[0020]As used herein, the term "database" should be understood to include
or refer to any software or computer implemented system that permits the
storage, management and retrieval of data. The database 102 may reside on
the Web server hosting the user interface 100 or it may reside on any
other computer server. In any event the database 102 is preferably
connected to the Internet via any suitable Internet connection. The
database 102 preferably includes numerous fields by which a user can
search the database to retrieve desired data by entering or selecting
search criteria, such as the search criteria identifiable in FIGS. 12 and
13 discussed later.

[0021]Although specific reference is made throughout this specification to
the "Internet," such term should be understood to include any type of
network infrastructure now existing or later developed. Similarly,
although specific reference is made throughout this specification to the
"World-Wide-Web" or "Web," such terms should be understood to include any
type of data sharing model now existing or later developed for sharing
data over the Internet or other network infrastructure.

[0022]A preferred embodiment of the exterior of the controller 20 is shown
in FIGS. 3-8. The controller 20 preferably includes a housing 22 (FIGS.
5-6) with a Power-In port 24, a Power-Out port 26, a camera port 28, a
Secure Digital ("SD") memory card port 30, and at least one universal
serial bus ("USB") port 32. The purpose of each of these components and
other components comprising the controller 20 will be discussed later.

[0023]Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the bottom of the housing 22 preferably
includes a plurality of apertures 38 and a removable mounting bracket 40
secured by screws 42. It should be appreciated that the mounting bracket
40 is capable of being removed and reattached to the housing 22 by the
screws 42 in different orientations (compare FIGS. 7 and 8, for example)
so as to permit different mounting options for securing the controller 20
to the support structure of the display 12 or other structure.

[0024]Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic block diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the controller 20 is illustrated. Power is supplied to the
controller 20 via a power cord 21 (see also FIGS. 1, 4). One end of the
power cord 21 plugs into the store's conventional power outlet 23 (FIG.
1) and the other end plugs into the controller's Power-In port 24 (FIGS.
4, 5, 9). The Power-In port 24 is electrically coupled to the
controller's Power-Out port 26 (see also FIGS. 4, 5) which is adapted to
receive the AV component's power cord 25 (FIGS. 1, 4). A voltage
regulator 50 is electrically coupled with the Power-In port 24 to provide
the appropriate voltage to the printed circuit board (PCB) 52.

[0025]The various electrical components which provide the desired
functionality of the controller 20 are preferably electrically coupled to
the PCB, including, for example, the state detector 60, the state
controller 70, the GPRS module 80, the SIM card 90, light indicators 92,
etc., each of which is discussed in greater detail below.

[0026]State detector 60 is electrically coupled between the Power-In port
24 and Power-Out port 26 to detect whether power is being supplied to the
controller 20 and to detect electrical current flow as a means of
detecting whether the AV components 14 are powered on or off. In a
preferred embodiment a state controller 70 is also preferably provided to
permit the power to the AV components 14 to be remotely controlled by the
user.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the
state detector 60. The state detector 60 includes a coil 62 through which
passes either the hot or neutral wire 63 extending between the power
inlet 24 and power outlet 26. As current passes through the wire 63 a
corresponding signal is generated by the coil 62. Amplifier 64 (such as
an LM324) amplifies the signal. The amplified signal is compared by
comparator 66 with a predefined current reference input 68 corresponding
to the "on" state of the AV component 14. If the amplified signal meets
or exceeds the predefined current reference, an output signal is
generated by the comparator 66 corresponding to an "on" state for the AV
component 14. If the amplified signal does not meet the predefined
current reference, an output signal is generated by the comparator 66
corresponding to an "off" state for the AV component 14. If no signal is
generated by the coil 64 due to no current flowing through the wire 63, a
"no power" state output signal is generated by the comparator 66. These
"on", "off" and "no power" signals are delivered to the GPRS module
(discussed later) for communication to the database 102.

[0028]The preferred GPRS module 80 (such as a Cinterion TC65i) cooperates
with the Subscriber Identity Module ("SIM") card 90 which is provided by
a wireless GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) carrier, such as
AT&T, T-mobile, etc. The GSM carrier provides the data communication
services between the controller 20 and the database 102. The GPRS module,
along with any other necessary circuitry as recognized by those of
ordinary skill in the art, is preferably programmed to perform the state
detection (i.e., "on", "off", "no power" states) and to upload those
detected states to the database 102 at predefined or definable time
intervals.

[0029]The USB port 32 provides a data connection for programming and
configuring the controller 20 prior to installation and/or for updating
the controller. The SD Card port 30 receives SD Cards used to update the
controller 20 as desired to add new features or functionalities to the
system and it may be used for calibrating the state detector 60 as needed
for different types of AV Components 14.

[0030]Indicator lights 92 provide visual indication that the controller 20
is powered on and communicating with the database 102 via the GRSM module
80.

[0031]The camera port 28 receives the video cable 29 (FIG. 4) connected to
the camera 16 used for monitoring the display 12. The camera port 28 may
be a VGA port (shown in FIG. 5) or any other type of video connection
port, including IEEE 1394, USB, etc.).

[0032]FIGS. 11A-11F are electrical schematics of the various preferred
components comprising the preferred controller 20. Specifically, FIG. 11A
is an electrical schematic showing the preferred GPRS module 80, SIM
connector 90 and USB port 32. FIG. 11B is an electrical schematic of the
preferred state control 60 and state detector 70. FIG. 11C is an
electrical schematic of a preferred voltage regulator 50. FIG. 11D is an
electrical schematic of the preferred SD Card connector 30. FIG. 11E is
an electrical schematic of the preferred camera connector 28. FIG. 11F is
an electrical schematic of the preferred light indicators 92.

[0033]In use, the controller 20 is preferably mounted behind the AV
component 14 so that it is preferably hidden from view (FIGS. 3-4). The
AV component 14 with the controller 20 mounted thereto are preferably
secured to the display stand 12 or some other structure. A power cord 21
(FIG. 1) is plugged into the Power-In port 24 of the controller 20. The
other end of the power cord 21 is plugged into the store's power outlet
23. The power cord 25 of the AV component 14 is plugged into the
Power-Out port 26 of the controller 20. A camera 16 is preferably mounted
to preferably view and capture as much of the display stand 12 as
possible so a user can remotely visually inspect the display stand 12 to
ensure it is adequately stocked with product P and that the AV component
14 is operating properly. Output signals of the state detector 60 are
communicated to the GPRS module 80 which then transmits the detected
state output signals and captured camera images to the database 102 via
GPRS. The captured camera images may be video images or photographic
images.

[0034]A remote user preferably accesses the user interface 100 over the
Internet via a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc., to
monitor the data, including the captured camera images, transmitted via
GPRS to the database 102. The preferred user interface 100 preferably
allows a user to choose between a "Global" template or screen 104 (FIG.
12) and a "Daily" template or screen 106 (FIG. 13). Within each template
104, 106 are preferably are number of predefined selectable criteria
corresponding to searchable fields of the database 102. For example, the
selectable criteria may include one or more drop-down listings that
allows the user to search by customer 120, store 122, product 124, and
location 126 (such as city, state or province) among or other criteria.
The template also preferably allows the user to select desired time
intervals or periods 128 and date ranges 130 (only in Daily template FIG.
13) for displaying the retrieved data. The user interface 100 also
preferably allows the user to select the desired "Detected State" 132 to
retrieve (i.e., "on", "off", "no power"). For example, a user may only
want to retrieve search results in which AV components 14 have detected
states of "off" or "no power." Below the selectable criteria drop downs,
the templates 104 and 106 include a window 134 in which the data
corresponding to the selected search criteria is displayed. As
illustrated, in FIG. 12, each of the drop-down search criterias in the
template preferably has a default of "all" such that the search query
will retrieve and display a listing of all the data associated with a
particular user, preferably organized by date. Also as shown in FIG. 12,
the preferred user interface 100 preferably identifies whether images are
available of the particular display stand 12 by an image icon 136. The
user interface 100 preferably allows the user to view the captured images
by selecting the image icon 136 with a mouse or other pointing device.
Upon selecting the image icon 136, the user interface 100 preferably
opens up a separate window on the screen (not shown) to display the
captured image.

[0035]FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred "Daily" template 106 displaying
results of a query in which a user, for example, chose display results
based on the following criteria for the respective drop-down listings:
store 122="1", customer 120="D-Company", and product 124="A". The example
also shows that the user selected a date range 130 between April 21 and
Apr. 28, 2010. The results based on the search criteria are displayed in
the results window 134. In the example of FIG. 13, the results window 134
shows the various detected states (on/off/no power) of the AV components
14 reported in hourly increments over a twenty four hour period. Other
time intervals are also preferably definable and selectable.

[0036]It should be appreciated that the user interface 100 preferably
includes a log-on screen (not shown) wherein the user is required to
enter a username and password or other unique identifier to be able to
gain access to the database 102. Once assigned, this unique identifier is
then used to associate particular data to that user so as to prevent
other users from accessing and retrieving data to which they are not
associated and authorized to view. It should also be appreciated that the
user interface may include other templates which allow a user to add or
input data into the database or to edit previous entries in database.

[0037]The foregoing description is presented to enable one of ordinary
skill in the art to make and use a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Various modifications to the preferred embodiment, and the general
principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to
those of skill in the art. Thus, the present invention is not to be
limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawing
figures, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.